Medal "For the Liberation of Prague"

Last updated
Medal "For the Liberation of Prague"

Liberation of Prague OBVERSE.jpg

Medal "For the Liberation of Prague" (obverse)
Awarded by Flag of the Soviet Union.svg  Soviet Union
Type Campaign medal
Eligibility Citizens of the Soviet Union
Awarded for Participation in the liberation of Prague
Status No longer awarded
Statistics
Established June 9, 1945
Total awarded ~395,000
Liberationprague rib.png
Ribbon of the Medal "For the Liberation of Prague"
Reverse of the Medal "For the Liberation of Prague" Liberation of Prague REVERSE.jpg
Reverse of the Medal "For the Liberation of Prague"

The Medal "For the Liberation of Prague" (Russian : Медаль «За освобождение Праги») was a World War II campaign medal of the Soviet Union established on June 9, 1945 by decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR [1] to satisfy the petition of the People's Commissariat for Defence of the Soviet Union to adequately reward the participants of the battles for the liberation of the city of Prague from the armed forces of Nazi Germany.

Russian language East Slavic language

Russian is an East Slavic language, which is official in the Russian Federation, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, as well as being widely used throughout Eastern Europe, the Baltic states, the Caucasus and Central Asia. It was the de facto language of the Soviet Union until its dissolution on 25 December 1991. Although nearly three decades have passed since the breakup of the Soviet Union, Russian is used in official capacity or in public life in all the post-Soviet nation-states, as well as in Israel and Mongolia.

World War II 1939–1945 global war

World War II, also known as the Second World War, was a global war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. The vast majority of the world's countries—including all the great powers—eventually formed two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis. A state of total war emerged, directly involving more than 100 million people from over 30 countries. The major participants threw their entire economic, industrial, and scientific capabilities behind the war effort, blurring the distinction between civilian and military resources. World War II was the deadliest conflict in human history, marked by 50 to 85 million fatalities, most of whom were civilians in the Soviet Union and China. It included massacres, the genocide of the Holocaust, strategic bombing, premeditated death from starvation and disease, and the only use of nuclear weapons in war.

Soviet Union 1922–1991 country in Europe and Asia

The Soviet Union, officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR), was a socialist state in Eurasia that existed from 1922 to 1991. Nominally a union of multiple national Soviet republics, its government and economy were highly centralized. The country was a one-party state, governed by the Communist Party with Moscow as its capital in its largest republic, the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic. Other major urban centres were Leningrad, Kiev, Minsk, Alma-Ata, and Novosibirsk. It spanned over 10,000 kilometres east to west across 11 time zones, and over 7,200 kilometres north to south. It had five climate zones: tundra, taiga, steppes, desert and mountains.

Contents

Medal Statute

The Medal "For the Liberation of Prague" was awarded to soldiers of the Red Army, Navy, and troops of the NKVD, direct participants of the heroic assault and liberation of the city of Prague as well as to the organizers and leaders of combat operations in the capture of this city. [1]

Red Army 1917–1946 ground and air warfare branch of the Soviet Unions military

The Workers' and Peasants' Red Army, frequently shortened to Red Army was the army and the air force of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic, and, after 1922, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. The army was established immediately after the 1917 October Revolution. The Bolsheviks raised an army to oppose the military confederations of their adversaries during the Russian Civil War. Beginning in February 1946, the Red Army, along with the Soviet Navy, embodied the main component of the Soviet Armed Forces; taking the official name of "Soviet Army", until its dissolution in December 1991.

Soviet Navy naval arm of the Soviet Armed Forces

The Soviet Navy was the naval arm of the Soviet Armed Forces. Often referred to as the Red Fleet, the Soviet Navy was a large part of the Soviet Union's strategic plan in the event of a conflict with opposing super power, the United States, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), or another conflict related to the Warsaw Pact of Eastern Europe. The influence of the Soviet Navy played a large role in the Cold War (1945-1991), as the majority of conflicts centered on naval forces.

The People's Commissariat for Internal Affairs, abbreviated NKVD, was the interior ministry of the Soviet Union.

Award of the medal was made on behalf of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR on the basis of documents attesting to actual participation in the liberation of Prague. Serving military personnel received the medal from their unit commander, retirees from military service received the medal from a regional, municipal or district military commissioner in the recipient's community. [1]

The Medal "For the Liberation of Prague" was worn on the left side of the chest and in the presence of other awards of the USSR, was located immediately after the Medal "For the Liberation of Warsaw". [1] If worn in the presence of Orders or medals of the Russian Federation, the latter have precedence. [2]

Medal "For the Liberation of Warsaw" military decoration of the Soviet Union

The Medal "For the Liberation of Warsaw" was a World War II campaign medal of the Soviet Union established on June 9, 1945 by decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR to satisfy the petition of the People's Commissariat for Defence of the Soviet Union.

Medal Description

The Medal "For the Liberation of Prague" was a 32mm in diameter circular brass medal with a raised rim on the obverse. On its obverse along the upper half of the medal's circumference, the relief inscription "FOR THE LIBERATION OF" (Russian : «ЗА ОСВОБОЖДЕНИЕ»), beneath the inscription, in prominent letters, the relief inscription "PRAGUE" (Russian : «ПРАГИ»). At the bottom, a small relief five pointed star over a laurel wreath, over the wreath, a rising sun casting divergent rays upwards. On the reverse the relief date in three rows "9 MAY 1945" (Russian : «9 МАЯ 1945») over a relief plain five pointed star. [1]

The Medal "For the Liberation of Prague" was secured by a ring through the medal suspension loop to a standard Soviet pentagonal mount covered by a 24mm wide purple silk moiré ribbon with an 8mm wide blue central stripe. [1]

Recipients (partial list)

The individuals below were all recipients of the Medal "For the Liberation of Prague".

See also

Related Research Articles

Order of the Red Star Soviet military award

The Order of the Red Star was a military decoration of the Soviet Union. It was established by decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of 6 April 1930 but its statute was only defined in decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of 5 May 1930. That statute was amended by decrees of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of 7 May 1936, of 19 June 1943, of 26 February 1946, of 15 October 1947, of 16 December 1947 and by decree No 1803-X of 28 March 1980.

Medal "For the Victory over Germany in the Great Patriotic War 1941–1945" Soviet campaign medal to contributors for the victory over Nazi Germany

The Medal "For the Victory Over Germany in the Great Patriotic War 1941–1945" was a military decoration of the Soviet Union established on May 9, 1945, by decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR to denote military participation in the victory of the Soviet armed forces over Nazi Germany in the Great Patriotic War.

Medal "For the Victory over Japan" military decoration of the Soviet Union

The Medal "For the Victory over Japan" was a campaign medal of the Soviet Union established on September 30, 1945 by decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the Soviet Union to commemorate the Soviet victory over the Empire of Japan in the Soviet–Japanese War at the end of World War II. The medal's statute was later amended on July 18, 1980 by decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR № 2523-X.

Medal "For Distinction in Guarding the State Border of the USSR"

The Medal "For Distinction in Guarding the State Border of the USSR" was a military decoration of the Soviet Union established to recognise outstanding deeds related to state frontier security by members of KGB border troops, servicemen and civilians.

Medal "For Strengthening of Brotherhood in Arms" Soviet military decoration awarded to personnel of the Warsaw Pact and friendly socialist states

The Medal "For Strengthening Military Cooperation" was a military award of the Soviet Union established on May 25, 1979 by Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet. Its statute was later confirmed and slightly amended by Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet № 2523-X of July 18, 1980. It was bestowed to recognise outstanding cooperation between the different services and the different armed forces of the various Warsaw Pact countries or of any other friendly socialist state.

Jubilee Medal "Twenty Years of Victory in the Great Patriotic War 1941–1945" commemorative medal of the Soviet Union

The Jubilee Medal "Twenty Years of Victory in the Great Patriotic War 1941–1945" was a state commemorative medal of the Soviet Union established on May 7, 1965 by decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR to denote the twentieth anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in World War II.

Medal "Veteran of the Armed Forces of the USSR" award

The Medal "Veteran of the Armed Forces of the USSR" was a long service award of the Armed Forces of the Soviet Union established on May 20, 1976 by decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR and awarded for twenty-five years of impeccable service to troops of the army, navy, of internal forces and of border troops. Its statute was twice amended by further decrees of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, first on July 18, 1980 and lastly on January 10, 1984.

Jubilee Medal "30 Years of the Soviet Army and Navy" commemorative medal of the Soviet Union

The Jubilee Medal "30 Years of the Soviet Army and Navy" was a state military commemorative medal of the Soviet Union established on February 22, 1948 by decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR to denote the thirtieth anniversary of the creation of the Soviet Armed Forces. Its statute was later amended by decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of July 18, 1980.

Jubilee Medal "40 Years of the Armed Forces of the USSR" commemorative medal of the Soviet Union

The Jubilee Medal "40 Years of the Armed Forces of the USSR" was a state military commemorative medal of the Soviet Union established on December 18, 1957 by decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR to denote the fortieth anniversary of the creation of the Soviet Armed Forces. Its statute was later amended by decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of July 18, 1980.

Jubilee Medal "60 Years of the Armed Forces of the USSR" commemorative medal of the Soviet Union

The Jubilee Medal "60 Years of the Armed Forces of the USSR" was a state military commemorative medal of the Soviet Union established and bestowed to military personnel to denote the sixtieth anniversary of the creation of the armed forces of the Soviet Union. It was established on January 28, 1978 by decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR. Its statute was amended by decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR on July 18, 1980.

Medal "For the Defence of Leningrad" military decoration of the Soviet Union

The Medal "For the Defence of Leningrad" was a World War II campaign medal of the Soviet Union established on December 22, 1942 by decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR to recognise the valour and hard work of the Soviet civilian and military defenders of Leningrad during the 872-day siege of the city by the German armed forces between September 8, 1941 and January 27, 1944. The medal's statute was later amended by Resolution of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet on March 8, 1945. and again one last time on July 18, 1980 by decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR № 2523-X.

Medal "For the Defence of Moscow" military decoration of the Soviet Union

For the Defense of Moscow was a World War II campaign medal of the Soviet Union awarded to military and civilians who had participated in the Battle of Moscow.

Medal "For the Defence of Kiev" military decoration of the Soviet Union

The Medal "For the Defence of Kiev" was a World War II campaign medal of the Soviet Union established on June 21, 1961 by decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR to be awarded to the participants of the defence of the city of Kiev during the 1941 invasion of the USSR by NAZI Germany.

Medal "For the Capture of Berlin" military decoration of the Soviet Union

The Medal "For the Capture of Berlin" was a World War II campaign medal of the Soviet Union established on June 9, 1945 by decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR to satisfy the petition of the People's Commissariat for Defense of the Soviet Union. The medal's statute was amended on July 18, 1980 by decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR № 2523-X.

Medal "For the Capture of Budapest" military decoration of the Soviet Union

The Medal "For the Capture of Budapest" was a World War II campaign medal of the Soviet Union established on 9 June 1945 by decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR to satisfy the petition of the People's Commissariat for Defense of the Soviet Union to recognise and reward the participants of the battle for the capture of the city of Budapest from the armed forces of Nazi Germany. The medal's statute was amended on 18 July 1980 by decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR № 2523-X.

Medal "For the Capture of Königsberg" military decoration of the Soviet Union

The Medal "For the Capture of Königsberg" was a World War II campaign medal of the Soviet Union established on June 9, 1945 by decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR to satisfy the petition of the People's Commissariat for Defense of the Soviet Union for recognition of the participants of the battle to capture the city of Königsberg from the armed forces of Nazi Germany. The medal's statute was amended on July 18, 1980 by decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR № 2523-X.

Medal "For the Capture of Vienna" military decoration of the Soviet Union

The Medal "For the Capture of Vienna" was a World War II campaign medal of the Soviet Union established on June 9, 1945 by decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR to satisfy the petition of the People's Commissariat for Defense of the Soviet Union to reward the participants of the battles for the capture of the city of Vienna from the armed forces of Nazi Germany. The medal's statute was amended on July 18, 1980 by decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR № 2523-X.

Medal "For the Liberation of Belgrade" military decoration of the Soviet Union

The Medal "For the Liberation of Belgrade" was a World War II campaign medal of the Soviet Union. It was established on June 9, 1945 by decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR to satisfy the petition of the People's Commissariat for Defence of the Soviet Union.

Medal "For Impeccable Service" award

The Medal "For Impeccable Service" was a Soviet military award for long service awarded to deserving members of the military personnel of the armed forces of the USSR, of the Interior Ministry of the USSR and of the Ministry for the Protection of Public Order of the USSR, to recognise ten, fifteen and twenty years of faithful and impeccable service to the state.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of June 9, 1945" (in Russian). Legal Library of the USSR. 1945-06-09. Retrieved 2012-03-08.
  2. ↑ "Decree of the President of the Russian Federation of September 7, 2010 No 1099" (in Russian). Russian Gazette. 2010-09-07. Retrieved 2012-03-08.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.